Montreal World Energy Congress draws protests

Hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Montreal Sunday for the first day of the World Energy Congress, a meeting for leaders in the energy industry.

The Congress runs at the Palais de Congrs until Thursday, with 3,500 global leaders in the energy sector coming together to discuss ways to meet the challenges facing their industry.

Dozens of demonstrators smeared molasses over their bodies on Sunday to represent spilt oil.

"I have some [molasses] in my hair, I have some in my face, I have some on my full body," said one of the protesters, Mireille Fournier. "[But] it doesn't feel as worse as being covered with oil actually," Fournier said.

The stunt was organized by Greenpeace, and activists performed a choreographed dance in front of a banner reading "Too Dirty! Too Risky! Go Beyond Oil," as they urged governments to stop subsidizing fossil fuels and focus on developing clean, safe energy sources.

The demonstrators also criticized plans by the Quebec government to allow exploration for shale gas in the province.

"The Charest government must announce an immediate moratorium on exploration for oil and gas in Quebec," said Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner Virginie Lambert-Ferry in a release.

Environmentalist Andr Belisle, the president of the Association qubcoise de lutte contre pollution atmosphrique (AQLCP), was also outside the Palais de Congrs to urge industry leaders to stop using "dirty" oil.

"Put your money where our future is," said Belisle. "Your money should go [to] green energy, renewable energy and stop investing in dangerous energies," Belisle.

Daniel Breton, with the environmental group Matres chez nous 21e sicle (MCN21), said energy leaders shouldn't be making decisions about global resources that affect people around the world.

"These resources are ours. They're not the government's and they're not the companies,'" Breton said.

People can speak up: Boisclair

Former Parti Qubcois leader and one-time environment minister Andr Boisclair said people will have the chance to have their say.

Boisclair, now working as a consultant for engineering firm Dessau, is the spokesperson for one of the events at the Congress, a daily meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Complexe Desjardins shopping complex.

"We want everyday citizens to be able to participate, ask their questions, and learn what is going on at the energy congress," Boisclair said.

Boisclair also said he believes shale gas is a part of the solution to the issues that energy leaders are discussing in Montreal this week.

"I have confidence that Quebecers, if they decide to move forward, that they'll do it in a way that is respectful of the environment and obviously, will be respectful of the security of the people," Boisclair told CBC.

This is the 21st World Energy Congress. The conference takes place every three years.